Hepatitis A Dangers

Inflammation of the Liver

The most common hepatitis A danger is inflammation of the liver. In some cases, damage to the liver can impair functioning and increase the risk of other infections. People who are infected with this virus and experience dark-colored urine may require hospitalization.

Dehydration

Another danger of a hepatitis A infection is dehydration. As with any diarrheal illness, it may be difficult for an infected individual to drink fluids faster than they are being expelled in diarrhea and vomit. If you or someone in your family is becoming severely dehydrated you should contact your family physician.

Acute Severe Hepatitis A Infection during Pregnancy

Acute severe infection during pregnancy should be discussed with a doctor. The main treatment is rest and eating well, and pregnant women will usually recover within one to two months. Even so, if a pregnant woman is exposed to this virus, she should get immediate medical attention.

Risk Factors Greater for These Groups of People

The vast majority of people who become infected with this virus return to normal health without any permanent complications. While children are more likely to become infected with the hepatitis A virus, the elderly are at greater risk than younger people from suffering severe effects of the illness. In fact, as many as twenty percent of adult hepatitis A patients require hospitalization. Each year approximately 100 people die from the disease in the U.S.

In addition to the elderly, other groups are at higher risk of infection and severe complications. Members of these groups may want to become vaccinated to prevent infection. These groups include:

Travelers or workers in countries that have high or intermediate rates of hepatitis A

Children in communities that have increased rates of illness and regular outbreaks